Friction shock-absorbing mechanism



Mar. 13, 1923. l,448,498.

1. F. ocoNNoR.

FRICTION SHOCK ABSORBING MECHANISIVI.

FILED'MAY5.1921 l2 SHEETS-SHEET i.

vetenteel iltfinro Si, limit.,

To ali whom t may concerne Be it known that l, Jorrit l?, Uonnfon, a citizen of the United States, residing et Chicago, in the county o Coole and State or" illinois, have invented a certain new and usefulm reve-ment in Friction Shock-bsorbing echanisms, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying clrawings, forming a part of this specincation.

This invention relates to improvements in friction shock absorbing mechanisms.

(lne object oi' the invention is to provide a high capacity shock absorbing mechanism especially adapted for railway draft rig gings and wherein are obtained certain release, a graduated smooth action,'long life, uniform action at all times, low stresses on all friction elements, and low ultimate or peak load transmitted to the car underframeor other supporting framework.

v Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism'of the character intlicateil 'in the receding wherein are employed duplicate wedging or pressui'e-creating sys tems cooperable with a single group ci in tercalated friction elements.

Another object of the invention is tojproviele a mechanismhaving duplicated Wedging or pressure-creating systems in which each of the systems consists of a plurality of wedging elements having anti-friction means therebetween and wherein also anti* friction means are employed between each of the systems and the group of intercalated friction elements to the end that the mechanism is unusually sensitive both in setting up the desired; pressure on `the friction elements during compression and in releasing or reducing said pressure instantaneously upon removal of the actuating force and at the initiation of the release stroke.

Other objects of the invention will more clearly appear from the description hereinn after following. l

In the drawings forming a. part of this specification, Figure l. is a longitudinal, horizontal, sectional view of a portion of a railway draft rigging showing my improvements in connection therewith. Figure 2 is a vertical, transverse, sectional view correspending substantially to the line 2--2 of Figure 1 Figure 3 is an enlarged trench verse, sectional View of the shock absorbingN SEGUE-M355 the section yline Limfl oi Figure 3. Figures 6@ 5 and 6 are 'detail perspectives of the spring follower one of the lioating wedge elements, respectively, employee iny the mechanism. rind Figure '7 is a perspective of two ci" the so-calleci stationary friction e5 plates illustrating more particularly the manner accommodating the retainer bolts of the mechanism.

ln said drawings, 1li-*l0 denote channel draft sills of a railway car, to the inner faces of which are secured front stop lugs 1l and rear stop lugs 12, which may be oi any desired form. The rear portion or a drawbar is indicated. at 13. the same being operatively associated with the shock absorbing* mecha- 75 nism 'proper by means of ahoodefl cast yoke 1st and coupler lrey 15., The yoke and parts within are supported in operative po sit-ion by a detachable saddle plate 16.

The improved shock absorbing mechanism proper, as shown,` comprises, broadly, a column-loasustaining member A; twin sorings B B; a spring follower C; a series oi relatively stationary friction elements lU-D; aseries of relatively movable fric- 35 tion elements E--Eg a front follower F:

Heating wedge elements G--Grg anti-friction rollers lil-H; anti-friction rollers J-J; and ietainer-bolts liu-K.

The loa i-sustaining member A, the details of which obviously may vary without departingr from the spirit of the invention, is preferablyvin the form of a. malleable cast'- ing havingr top and bottom horizontal Walls 17-17, an integral rear connecting vertical 95 wallV 18 operating as a. follower in conjunction with the stop lugs 12, and verticalside walls 119 at the front or outer end of the casting. Said side walls 19-19 are relatively short in a direction parallel to the anis of the mechanism in order to leave the irl-eater portion of the sides ofthe member open to vpermit of the introduction and removal of the spring follower C and twin springs B. With the arrangement shown. WJ

it is evident that the forward enel of the member A constitutes, in effect, a hollow sabstantially rectangular box or casing and that the member A, as an entirety, isradapc ecl to act as a column iiiv the transmission of il() m A i t in the member A because of the recesses,

-20 are notched in vertical alinement as Aindicated at 21m-21 and in the center line of the mechanism as indicated in Fi ure 2, the width ofsaid notches 21 being s ightly greater than the thiol/:ness of the top and 'itil ottom edges. of the stationary friction plates D, for the purpose vhereinafter described.A lNithin said recesses 20, in, addition to the front set of transversely extending flanges 22--22, as shown in Figure e, are formed other transversely extending sets of vertically alined shoulders or ribs 23 and 2li, said ribs 23 and 24; providing forwardly facing shoulders, provide rearwardly facing shoulders. l Said three sets of vertically 'alined shoulders 22,

'23 and 2a cooperate respectively with the forwardly facing shoulders 122 and rearwardly facing shoulders 12.3 and 124 on said stationary friction plates D. W ith this con struction it is evident thatthe plates D may be inserted longitudinally within the casing portion of the member A one at a time through the central notches 2l and then shifted laterally to either side of the center line tothe positions bcstshown in Figure 3 and when so ositioned, said platesvDai-e held against ongitudinal moven'ient with respect to the member A but are sensitive to laterally exerted pressure thereon.

Each of the said plates D preferably has a channel-like groove'25 extending lengthwise tliereof,tln.is leavingr the top and bottoni edges of the plates considerably thicker than the central portions thereof., 'lhe movable plates E which are alternated with the plates B are of slightly less width than the width of the channels 25 and of a thickness vslightly `greater than the depth of the channels 25 so that, when the stationary and movable y'ilates are properly assembled as shown in Figure 3,' a slight clearance as indicatedat 2% is left between the thick edges of the plates ll so as to leave all platesI sensitive to lateral pressure and also allow for a certain amount of wear ofV the rubbing: faces of the plates. ln actual practice, l prefer to employ' six of the plates D, three of the same having their channels faced toward the and three with their channels faced toward the right. as viewed in Figure *l so 'that the two central plates D will be arranged bach to back. Said two central plates l) arc provided with longitudinally extending semi-cylind cated at 27 when said 1 f ip and bottom edges 1: are assembled baclc whereas the flanges 22,

nical grooves as indi-` nasales 'in suitable recesses provided therefor iny the vfront `-follower l?. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the bolts K maintain all of the parts in assembled relation and lalso may be utilized to place the spring resistance under an initial compression.

The movable plates E are preferably rectangular in outline with flat surfaces on both sides so that the Same may be cheaply manufactured from rolled steel strips. The plates .E are longer than the plates l) and extend outwardly from the member A, the inner ends of said plates E also preferably normally extending slightly inwardlv beyond 'the inner edges of the plates D', as shown in Figure 1. As indicated in the preceding, the plates E are intercalated and preferably alternated with respect to the plates D so that, upon longitudinal movement of the plates E, friction is generated between all of said plates E and all of the plates D.

The front follower F is preferably in the form of a malleable casting and has laterally spaced inwardly extended heavy pressure-transmitting flanges 28--28 which straddle the plates ld and provide a pocket within. which the outer ends of the plates E are accommodated. To avoid bending of the ends of the plates E and gouging of the follower F when the latter actuates the plates E, a loose hardened wear plate 29 may be interposed between said plates E and the follower F. The thickness of the wear plates is less than the normal space between the outer ends of the movable friction plates and the follower l1" and may, therefore, assume either a spaced position relatively to said follower, or relatively to 29, said space preferably approxinating about half an inch so that, during the first half inch movement of the follower l?, during a b lfltlingh action, the plates ll will not be actuated.

As clearly shown in the drawing, the springf resistance embodies twin springs ll of the desired length'. capacity and movement. 'The forward ends of said springs cn- ;fage the rear face of the springr follmver (l. 'l'hc forward flat transversely extending face 3l of said follower C normally engages thel inner ends of the movable plates ll :rs shown in Figure l. On cach side, the follower C is provided with an elongated forwardly exmienne tended erin end eeen of seid arms 3.04, ai:- s point e l ntielly cenirehy thereof, is provided on its inner side with a wec'ge roll seat 33, against which bears the correspondingenti-friction roller il. i suitable shoul der .is l at the end oi the wedge .roll in to maintain the rollers in proper position. The forward or extreme ends'e" the er s 32 telescope wi n recesses 251i foi-ined near the side edges of.

the i'oilower Two :doeting wedge elements G are ern* pleyed the saine being; olf' like construction. Each elements @gis formed on its enter side with a wedge roll seat 3b parallel to the corresponding adjacent roll. seat 33. A roller step shoulder 37 is also formed on each element G adjacent the roll to assist in maintaining the antifriction roiiers lll in proper position. At 'their enter or forward ends, the elements Gr ere formed with transversely extending flat bearing surface-s 38 which are engaged by the inner ends off the prassure-transmitting flanges 28 of the follower l". On its inner Aside, which entends parallel to the center line of the inechanism each'eleinent- G is provided with a pair of recesses 3.9-39 which accommodate the anti-friction rollers J. The depth of said recesses 39 is less than the diameter of the rollers J so that the latter entend outwardly beyond the surface of the element G and time are adapted to roll freely on the4 respective adjacent movable friction plate E. The width of seid recesses 39 is also left enough to admit oi a free rolling movement of the rollers J.

As will be evident from an inspection oi' Figure l, the outer faces of the arms 32 of the spring :follower C are preferably slightly spaced from the opposed inner faces 'of the wells of the member A so that frictien between said follower C and the member A is avoided.

The operation of the device is as follows, assuming an inward or buiiing movement of the drawbar. As the drawbar 13 is forced inwardly, the front follower l? is moved siinultaneously` and uniformly therewith, it being.; understood that the colu1nnloadsns taining member A is held stationary by the rear stop lugs For the iirst approxi- 'mate half inch inward movement of the follower no movement of the plates ll occurs, as hereinbeiore described but the foat ingr/we elements if? are movedinwardly in unison w i 'che follower F. This movement is resisted by the springresistance reacting ihrcngh the spring' follower (l and the wedge elements io rigidly' thereon. l-l'ence during ehe initial approxinine half inch the follower ff", lateral. pressure liely and inwardly` against i of the centrallyl disposed ',tercalated friction plates berore vthen ectuete the movable plates E inwardly eny relative movement of said plates takes place. lilbvionsly, this wedging action or restaure-creating act-ion set up is determined .ily the spring resistance and the action is extremely sensitive because of the anti-frictional mounting between the respective sets or" wedge elements and the nnti-frictional means interposed; between the floating elements G and the friction plates. During the initial action just described, it is evident that the spring follower C will be moved rearwardly so es to be disengaged from the inner ends of the plates E. As the follower l? continues its inward movement, it will 89 simultaneously therewith and this action continues until the follower l? is limited in its movement relatively toward the member A. by engaging the forward edges of the letter. Upon reinovel or discontinuance of the actuating force, the pressure from the follower F upon the Heating wedge elements Gr is of course relieved and the springs B are then free to 'force the follower E outwardly'. lue to the anti-^frictionel means between the wedge elements of each system yand between the system and the friction elements, said elements are free to move relatively to each other and also free to move relatively to the friction elements and the wedging action is thus immediately reduced and the parts forced outwardly by the spring follower C without any relative movement oi the friction plates E and l). This initial portion of' the release action continues until 100 the folle wer (l engages the inner ends of the plates E at which time the pressure between the intercalated plates has been reduced to e minimum and the follower C, under the eX- pansion ofthe sprincF resistance, may easily project the plates E outwardly 'toward their normal iull release position From the preceding description, it will be seen than the maximum set up in any oi the elements is depend-cnt upon l@ the ultimate capacity oi' the spring resistance and is independent ol the strength of the applied actlwt-ingy force. Consequently,

the entire device is free from any excessive stresses and the pressure on the cooperatingd 'friction elements isn'xaintnined at relatiif'ely low figure per unit of arca, thereby minimizing` wear and promotinglong life for the mechanism. The low pressure per unit of area on the fricticnal surfaces hcweveixy fully compensated because of the large number and area of friction gcnerating' surfaces, the area being several times that now employe-fl' in commercial typos of friction gears most commonly used by the railroads.

l have herein shown and described what l now consider the preferred manner of irryinp; out the invention but the same is merely illustrative and l contemplate all i3@ changes and modifications that come within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim: ,l

1. lnl a friction shock absorbing mechanism; the combinationwith a column-loadsustaining member; of a group of intercalated relatively longitudinally movable and stationary friction elements mounted on said member; of an outer follower; a spring resistance; ya follower interposed between said sprin resistance and said group ofA friction e ements, one of said followers having spaced wedge elements rigid therewith and located at opposite sides of said groups of friction elements; and additional wedge elements interposed between said first named wedge elements and the group of friction elements adapted to' augment the lateral pressure between said elements upon relative movement of said outer follower and member toward each other.

2. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism,the combination with a column-load- 'sustaining member; of a group of intercalated relatively longitudinally movable and stationary friction elements mounted on said member; of 'a spring resistance; a follower interposed between said spring resistance and said group of friction elements, said follower having spaced wedge elements rigid therewith and located at opposite sides of said' groups of friction elements; an outerV follower; additional wedge elements interposed between said first named wedge elements and the group of friction elements adapted to augment the lateral pressure between said elements upon relative movement of said outer follower and member toward each other; anti-friction means interposed between said additional wedge elements and the respective first named \vedger lements; and anti-friction means interposed between said additional wedge elements and the group of friction elements.

il. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a column-loadsustaining member; of a series of friction elements carried by said member and held against longitudinal movement with respect thereto; an outer follower; a series of relatively movable friction elements intercalated with respect to the friction elements of the first series and movable longitudinally relatively to said member, said intercalated elements being so disposed as to form a single group, and said movable friction elements being adapted to be actuated by said follower upon relative approach of said follower and member; a spring resistance; a. spring follower; and lateral-pressure-creating means cooperable with said intercalated friction elements including, a wedge element rigid with respect to said spring follower and located at one side of said friction elements and a floating wedge element interposed between said first named wedge element and the friction elements, said floating wedge element being directly actuatedv by said outer follower.

4c. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a column-loadsustaining member; of a series of friction elements carried by said member and held against longitudinal movement with respect thereto; an outer follower; a series of relatively movable frict-ion elements intercalated with respect to the friction elements of the first series and movable longitudinally relatively to said member, said intercalated plates being so disposed as to constitute a single centrally disposed group, said movable friction elements being adapted lto be actuated by said follower upon relative approach of said follower and member; a spring resista-nce; a spring follower; lateral-pressure-creating means cooperable with said intercalated friction elements including, spaced wedge elements rigid with respect to one of said followers and located at opposite sides of said groups of friction elements and floating wedge elements interposed between said first named wedge elements and the friction elements, said floating wedge elements being directly actuated by said outer follower; anti-friction means interposed between said wedge elements; vand anti-friction means interposed between the floating wedge element andthe friction elements.

5. ln a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a column-loadsustaining member adapted to function as a follower; of a series of friction plates carried by said member and held against movement longitudinally with respect thereto; of an outer main follower; a series of relatively movable friction plates intercalated with re'- speet to the first named friction plates and movable relatively longitudinally of said member, said movable friction plates being normally slightly spaced from said main follower. and adapted to be actuated by the latter during relative approach of said follower and member, said intercalated friction plates being so disposed as to constitute a singe centrally disposed group; a spring resistance; a spring follower' interposed between said resistance and the group of frict'on plates; and a lateral-pressure-creating system on each side of the group of friction plates, each system including, a wedge ele# ment rigid with respect to said spring follower and a floating wedge element interposed between said first named wedge ele? ment and the adjacent side friction plate, said floating wedge elements being directly actuated by said outer main follower. j

GL lna friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a hollow casting having a rectangular open-ended casina' at stalvionliry riciion f LM our eno llieroo :i follower ai i'lie oilier end thereof and o. ing lirrelietween; o zi spring; assieoiure dispoeefl wiliin said' onge; o, wim of relatively Sinlionziry fricion plaliebt :annulled wiiliin seid casing portion :md lield o iroi'ns niorenioni longilndr nelly relzlirely lloreo: u series of rolaiiiruly momlilo lririon plates zillornzllrd with mid stationary {rn-'Lion plaira und luifing' llieir outer endl projoring outwardly from said member.

lw two serios or pluie consliliuting' zi. single ventral `group und lie inner ends of said niorolile platen projorl'ing inwardly of lie siionury pluies; o. spring' follower wiliin mid niemlwr zuid engaging the spring rosisizmor on om` indr :md said inner ends of lilo movable pieles on ille other side, @said Spring follower bring provided on enrlA side lliorrof willi :l forimrdly exendod wedge sori'ion, lio wedge Sivionx ririlddling lio `group ol l'ricion olmos; :in ouier moin follower; and flooring wedge elements on rzirli sido o? ilu* group of :"ririon platos, ruoli flooring wedge @lenient rooiwrzil'ingg with lie corresponding; adjlron spring follower wedge @lenient said floating wedge elements living direi-ily ocnned by said onlin follower. l

'i'. ln :i friction shock' absorbing morimnisni, lie oomlvinaion willi n liollow costing having o. rectangular opeirended easing at one end llieroof, :i follower :it ille ollier ond thereof and a spring @agro liereliotween; of o spring resistance disposed within said Page; a. Se of relziively stationary ii'rirtion plates mounted within :mid mising porion and lield ngninsi; n'xorexnonl longindi- Daily reloively liberen); ii. Series or relatively movable friclion plaies aller-rolled willi Suid plates :1nd lnrring their oner ends projrving outwardly from Said .member7 the two series of plates constituting a single central group und the inner ends of said movable plaies projecting inwardly of the swiionory plates; e spring *follower Within smid member and engaging the spring resistance on one side and seid inner ends of lie movable plates on the other side, said spring follower being provided on nach side whereof Wlll e for 'zirflly exiended wedge section, the wedge soeions sraddling lle group of frio/lion plates; an ouer moin follower provided willi projecting abutment members also stredillingr the group o1- plates; lloeting Wedge elemems on each side of the group or friction erich {login-ig worlge elrnienl: fooperzninf' willi ille corresponding ndjzicenl; spring; follower Wedge elen'ien, smid floating wedge elemens being directly actuel-eil by' engagement wili ne ebulznont mouiller on said moin follower; enti friction rollers inerposell belwren. eoeli set of wedge elenienl's; and anti-friction rollers interposed lieiween eac-li flooring' wedge eleznent und ille group of friction plaes.

8. .ln i friction Snoek absorbing nee nisin1 the mnnbnaiion will ai. hollow casting haring' e reriaingazliu open-ended calling at one end 'liereo' :L follower nl; lire fllzer end lierem and L Spring more llierelre .n; of e, spring resistance disposed wr sold cage; a series of relatively slaitionary friction plnes mounted within. sind raisin tion and lield iigrnins movement lo: nelly relatively lieroo; o series of relzirely movable friction plu-ies alornaled with sold stationary friction plaies and. ligt-Jing' *llieir outer ends projeriinf ouwordly from Said member, the lwo of plaire eonstilniing u single ventral group und lie inner ends or" Said movablo plaies projecting inwardl)Y of the sto'ionary plates; a spring follower within said nirmber sind enga-ging' the spring resisianoe on one side und Said inner ends of ille inomble platos on lle o-lxer side, said spring follower being providedY on each side iliereof with o :Eorwm'clly erienflefl wedge section, the wedge sections srarlfllingg ille tgroup of friction follower, Said follower being' reeeseocl lo :lo cominodate ille onler enfle of said movable friction platos and 'Norge seoions; :and flooring wedge elements on each siffle of lie group ol friction plein/esi1 earl loaog wedge eledoni co-operming with rho eorre'i f 'h odjzu-en', spring; follower wedge elenien ,Said oaing wedge elements being direcly noloated by the inner foie of srs-icl inner recessed porlion of said main follower, said main follower being normally slightly spaced from the onwzrrdly projected ends of lille movable frif'ion plates.

ln witness that l' claim 4 have lerennzo subscribed my naine llis 22nd clay of Apr. 192i.

lion

lll/'immesse Ummm GMLING, ANN Berman.

plaies; in ouer main. 

